Abstract Art: Disk of Newton by Frantisek Kupka

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The picture under analysis is Disk of Newton by Frantisek Kupka. He was a famous Czech painter. His name tends to be one of the most famous among all other representatives of this country. The reason of this popularity is very simple. Frantisek Kupka is one of the founders of the abstract art which represents one on the key points in the art of 20th century (Frantiaek Kupka: the birth of abstraction para. 1). Started his way as the representative of classic school he then realized his mission. Kupkas abstract works arose from a base of realism, but later evolved into pure abstract art (Ribas para.1).

Having recognized himself as an abstractionist, he became one of the founding members of Abstraction-Creation, the association of artists whose main task was to struggle with the ideas of surrealism. The difference was in the approach to painting. The main idea of abstractionism was the usage of visual language of shapes, forms, lines and colors to interpret a subject-matter, without necessarily providing the viewer with a recognizable visual reference point (What is Abstract Art? para. 3) while surrealists main issue was to reflect the subconscious mind in the way which does not have to be understandable or obtain at least some logical meaning (Artists by Movement: Surrealism para. 1).

This opposition resulted in many different masterpieces of modern art, however at that period of time Kupka was one of the main representatives of abstract art, trying to counteract the overwhelming influence of surrealism. The artist also had some interest to cosmology and astronomy and it can be seen in some of his works which were affected by these ideas. Some theological motifs sometimes can also be outlined in his art and views, however they are not so significant as the motifs of color, shape and their interaction.

He was also deeply involved in orphic cubism, the branch of abstractionism which deals with bright colors and pure abstraction, giving the main importance to the shape of objects. In his works Kupka reveals great interest in color theory, experimenting with it. He tried to use colors in a very unusual way, intending to add some new meaning to the traditional understanding of certain color. He combined his main ideas of color and shape in orphism and he became one of the most significant figures for this kind of art, stimulating its fusion with abstractionism.

His experiments with colors resulted in one of his most famous works Disks of Newton. It can be recognized as the quintessence of orphism. The work is devoted to color, favorite Kupkas issue. The title refers to the famous seventeenth century physicist Sir Isaac Newton. The choice of the topic was not accidental. Sir Isaac Newton was the first to discover that light of the sun is not just a stream of white color, but it consist of seven colors, which are known to be the colors of spectrum red, green, yellow, orange, blue, indigo and violet. To represent his idea more clearly Newton created special wheel which contained all these colors.

The scientist wanted to show that combination of two different colors form the disk results in the creation of the third one, while combination of all colors will result in white, which properly is known to be the light. Frantisek Kupka, as the great admirer of the color issue could not overpass it. His Disks of Newton consists of discs of different bright colors which disperse form the center of the picture to its corners. The forms overlap and interpenetrate each other to produce an exciting sense of spinning movement (Disks of Newton (Study for Fugue in Two Colors) para. 3). Kupka used all colors of the spectrum, including white.

The colors seem to be mowing, whirling and blending with each other, creating new ones, making one color come out from another. From the first point of view it seems that Kupka managed to bring Newtons wheel to live and made it move. The idea of constant moving of colors does not leave the viewers head. Having already told about Kupkas interest in cosmology and astrology, it is possible to make some parallel with our galaxy, suggesting that those circles coming from the center are the orbits of our planets, which move around the sun. The more viewer look on this picture the stronger this impression becomes.

This image can be taken as the result of the scrupulous work of the painter on his idea of colors and shapes. They are the main issue here. The work seems to be the final step in the development of the color topic by the author. Knowing his belonging to abstractionists and orphists, it is possible to say that the picture absorbed all main ideas of these schools, presenting an excellent example of the combination of all notions. The painter uses typical for the abstractionists methods in order to reveal his thoughts and ideas. It is difficult to observe any symbols here, the viewers can just watch shapes and colors trying to guess the idea of the author.

The work is not first in a row, the author is known for many experiments connected with this issue. His previous paintings like Nocturne or Woman Picking Flowers can also be characterized by prevailing part of shapes and colors, however, the picture Disks of Newton seems to be the most complete in the list. The whole composition of the picture seems to be not quite symmetrical as the viewer can observe a little shift to the upper part of the picture. Though this misbalance is not noticeable and does not put a strain on viewers eyes.

In this painting Kupka was one of the first to use colors and shapes to create the strange mixture which later become well known as the earliest exponents of curvilinear pure abstraction (Frantiaek Kupka para. 3). One of the main advantages and interesting things about this picture is that this strange mixture of colors and circles does not limit the imagination of the viewer. Everyone can find something special, peculiar for his understanding of the world and essence of this masterpiece.

Moreover, this work can be called the declaration of orphism as it reflects the essence of this school. The second half of the title is Study for Fugue in Two Colours. As the musical analogy implicit in the title suggests, the vibrating colour orchestrations on the canvas were intended to unite visual and musical ideas (Orphism para. 5). The world fugue in the second half can serve as the reference to the famous works of Johan Sebastian Bach. It helps to create the sound image of the picture in the head of the viewer, because as soon as the person hears the world fugue the music starts playing in his conscious. This idea totally coincides with Kupkas understanding of the sense of painting which should be also abstract, as music is.

The work Discs of Newton (Study for Fugue in Two Colours) was created at the period of the great controversy in the world of art. Understanding of the world and art of surrealists faced totally different ideas of abstractionists, proclaiming the shape color and sense as the key points of the whole art. Taking this into consideration it is possible to say, that this picture was the answer for the adherers of surrealism. It embodied the main notions of abstract art, perfectly demonstrating the authors ideas. Working in France, the author was in the swim and that is why the challenging character of this artwork is obvious. The blazing colors and cosmic symbolism of works such as Disks of Newton were seen as a blatant challenge to French taste and tradition (Disks of Newton (Study for Fugue in Two Colors) para. 2)

In conclusion it should be said that the picture Disks of Newton has very complicated meaning and character. From the first gaze it seems just like the mixture of colored circles, however with the following analysis and watching some hidden motifs reveal. Having got to know about the preferences of the painter, it is rather obvious to suggest this painting to be the main reflection and quintessence of his understanding of art. However, one more thing which should be added. This picture has some inexplicable power to spread the authors idea on the viewer. After an hour of analyzing it you can become the adherer of the abstract art and proclaim this artwork to be the brightest example of it.